New Jersey Food and Drink – Griffey's Great Adventures

Lolita’s Mexican Cantina, Westwood, NJ

Have you ever had a craving for some good old fashioned street tacos? We call that Tuesday in our house. Always looking for new adventures, we were excited when our neighbors suggested a new taco hot spot- this local suburban NJ Mexican Cantina called Lolita’s in Westwood (Bergen County).

Stepping into Lolita’s felt like stepping into an old family friendly Mexico City eatery with the brick walls, wooden tables, and vibrant colors complete with a full 360 degree bar as the centerpiece. There is a range of Mexican beers and the premium tequila collection sets the stage for some delicious margaritas. After all, what’s a taco without a margarita to wash it down?? Those who know me understand my love affair with spicy margaritas and Lolita’s did not disappoint with the “El Barrio”- a margarita concocted with jalapeno infused tequila!

Both times that we visited Lolita’s (Yes, we liked it so much we went back a few weeks later!) , we decided to make our own “family style” meal. The dishes come complete with 4 tacos, so we ordered multiple different flavors and them divvied them up!

Needless to say, our craving was satisfied! The food was fresh and delicious and the servings were the perfect amount- we felt full but not regretfully overstuffed. Here is what we ate:

Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Aioli and Avocado

Beer Battered Fish Tacos with Mango slaw

Carne Asada Tacos with Guacamole and Pico de Gallo

Crispy Chicken Tacos with Avocado and Pico de Gallo

And I wouldn’t be doing our visit justice if I didn’t mention the Mexican Street Corn, which was AMAZING!

*Also pictured: Mexican Meatballs, Handmade Guacamole, Rice and Beans, and* *Flautas.*

Tacos are not the only food served at Lolita’s- the menu is complete with empanadas, quesadillas, paellas, enchiladas, and more! So if you are in NJ and looking for a night out with some delicious Mexican food, check it out!

For more information visit Lolita’s Website www.LolitasMexicanCantina.com

Buen Provecho!

Om Sweet Home Specialty Bakery

708 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ

Feeding your sweet tooth is a challenge when you have a gluten allergy. Luckily, if you live near the Bergen County, NJ waterfront, this bakery will come to the rescue! Om Sweet Home in Cliffside Park is Celiac safe and 100% vegan and gluten free. All products are also dairy free, soy free, wheat free, palm oil free, non-GMO, organic and made with non dairy butter alternative. It’s like the unicorn of bakeries! I’ve been to gluten free bakeries that fell short of satisfying but these delicious treats were nothing but delightful!

So, without further ado, here are our favorites from this yummy allergy free establishment:

Spiked Eggnog Donuts made with Sailor Jerry Rum:

Whoopie Pie made with Spiced Nut Cookie with Chocolate Beet Cream Filling:

YUM!!!

For more information, visit www.om-sweethome.com.

Enjoy this secret New Jersey Treasure!!

The Green Pear Cafe- Hoboken, NJ

Having a gluten allergy, I am always looking for allergy friendly restaurants. This gem on the back streets of Hoboken was a great find. Located between Newark and 1st on Grand, you can stop by for a coffee to go or sit at one of the tables to enjoy a full breakfast or lunch (outdoor seating also available). There are many gluten free options available on the menu, including a variety of gluten free pancakes, gluten free crepes, and gluten free arepa sandwiches. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxing. Make this your next stop for breakfast or lunch!

My Gluten Free Menu pick:

Italian Arepa: Gluten Free cornbread Arepa with Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Greens, Prosciutto, and Pesto.

This is perfect combination of sweet and savory!!

For the full menu and hours visit www.greenpearcafe.com

Vinnie’s Mootz- Lyndhurst, NJ

Southern Italians have been hand making fresh mozzarella since Roman times. This mild cheese was originally made from the rich milk of water buffalos in Naples. It was created when cheese curds accidentally fell into a bowl of hot water in a cheese factory, thus, Fresh mozzarella was born, or “mootz” as it is so lovingly called. Today, fresh mozzarella is found in most grocery stores or food outlets. However, like with all things, quality plays a role.

I have had my fair share of Fresh Mozzarella in my life, including in Italy itself, however few to none compare to Vinnie’s Mootz in Lyndhurst, NJ. Vinnie Morelli, the Fresh Mozzarella Chef at Vinnie’s Mootz, spent his summers in Italy as a child. This is where his mother and grandmother taught him how to make the perfect mozzarella that he sells today in his Lyndhurst store. Vinnie is a winner of Hoboken’s “Mutzfest” for homemade recipe. He combines high quality ingredients with the perfect amount of love and time, creating the yummiest, creamiest most delicious mozzarella this side of Italy.

Vinnie sells basic fresh mozzarella, as well as his specialties including burrata (to die for!!!), and his signature “Spicy Mootz” which is sundried tomatoes and sriracha sauce rolled into his fresh mozzarella, making a flavorful combination of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. For the fall season he has cooked up a special pumpkin burrata, with just a subtle hint of pumpkin creaminess. Other specialties include strawberry burrata, pepperoni mozzarella, and roasted peppers and prosciutto mozzarella. If you love mozzarella (and who doesn’t??), you need to make time in your day to drop by Vinnie’s Mootz. It’s the only place we purchase our Mozzarella and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Vinnie also holds mozzarella making classes on Monday nights (by appt). For more information, visit the website below. Happy cheese eating!

265 Ridge Road
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
201-697-0203
www.vinniesmootz.com

Cheese curds
The Process: just the right amount of love
Preparing to bring it all together with the Prosciutto

Pumpkin Burrata and Roasted Red Peppers with Prosciutto Mozzarella

The River Palm Terrace- Edgewater

The River Palm Terrace in Edgewater has been THE top Bergen County, NJ steakhouse since 1983 and is visited by celebrities and locals alike on a nightly basis. With an old school, elegant vibe and white table cloths The River Palm is perfect for a romantic date with a shared Porterhouse for 2, dinner with the guys to share the Tomahawk Steak, or a girl’s night with sake and world class sushi (I’ve heard the chef’s special rolls are the best!).

If it isn’t the food that brings you back, the service will. The staff rolls out the red carpet to guarantee that you have an exceptional experience. The servers are well educated and able to provide in depth information from the wine list to the steak cuts to the cooking styles. Steaks are prime and dry aged in the restaurant.

The River Palm Terrace has won many awards over the years, including “Top 50 steakhouses in America”, “Best of Bergen County” (multiple years), and Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” (multiple years), just to name a few. While the Edgewater location is the original, they have expanded their business to Mahwah and Fair Lawn as well. Reservations are recommended and Valet parking is complimentary. You can visit The River Palm Terrace of Edgewater at:

1416 River Road, Edgewater, NJ
Phone: (201) 224-2013

For more information, visit their website at: https://riverpalm.com

Prime Porterhouse Steak for 2 with Broccoli and Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy

The Turning Point- Hoboken

Turning Point has been a steady Hoboken breakfast spot for several years now. We have never had a bad experience here and the food is always fresh. Turning Point originated in Little Silver, NJ and its success has grown to over 15 locations, even expanding into Pennsylvania.

Breakfast options range from french toast and pancakes to their popular “skillets” to healthy dishes such as the “Garden Frittata”. Their extensive list of coffees, teas and juices is also impressive.

GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS!

Restaurants everywhere are starting to provide gluten free or gluten sensitive menus; Turning Point has joined the club! They have a separate menu for gluten sensitivity, just ask your server, or you can check out the website.

My GLUTEN FREE pick (from the “Fall Specials” Menu):

Cali Flatbread: Cauliflower crust topped with grilled chicken, chopped bacon, caramelized onions, spinach, diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and chipotle drizzle.

Walk on the Beach Juice: carrots, golden beets, apple, lemon and digestive aid ginger

You can visit the Turning Point Hoboken location at:

1420 Frank Sinatra Dr.
Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 222-3797
7:30am to 3pm 7 Days a Week

For more information, visit their website at www.theturningpoint.biz

Apples, Crisp Air That is Nice, and Everything Pumpkin Spice

It’s almost Halloween and we are deep into the fall season, which means apple and pumpkin picking is in full swing! Believe it or not, they call it the “Garden State” for a reason. You are never too far from farm land. Growing up in Northwest New Jersey we frequented Mackey’s Orchard in Belvidere, NJ. Although I have moved from this part of the state, we are sure to make a trip back here every fall for apple cider doughnuts that are unmatched. Functioning from their 96 acre farm for over 100 years, Mackey’s has an onsite bakery offering items such as apple crumb cake, pumpkin bread, apple pie, apple cider doughnuts, and my old favorite apple crumb pie, each made in house with love. Homemade pumpkin ice cream is offered from their ice cream stand throughout the fall (but only on weekends!). The Greenhouse holds hundreds of mums and pumpkins for purchase and the farm stand is loaded with locally grown produce (apples, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and much more!). On fall weekends, regular tractor rides take you into the orchard where you can pick your own apples. Lastly, it would be a sin if I didn’t tell you about their homemade apple cider, which is still the best I’ve ever had!!